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

August 17, 2025

Inspired Faithfulness, Part 1:

"A Cloud of Faithful Witnesses"

This Sunday we begin a 3-part sermon series called “Inspired Faithfulness”, based on the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews is written by an early Jewish Christian who learned the faith firsthand from Paul. His goal is to give a compelling rationale for his fellow converts to persevere in the faith, despite serious persecution. In Hebrews 11:1-3, 29-12:2, he offers a list of biblical heroes who trusted in God and were able to do miraculous things as a result. How might we be inspired by the “cloud of witnesses” who have influenced us in our faith walk? What heroic deeds might we do by trusting in God’s greatness and goodness?

Come on Sunday and find out!

See you in church - 

Don

Sermons in this Series:  

Inspired Faithfulness:

August 17   Part 1: A Cloud of Faithful Witnesses  [Hebrews 11:1-3, 29-12:2]

August 24   Part 2: A Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken  [Hebrews 12:18-29]

August 31  Part 3: A Savior Who Paves the Way [Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16]

Traditional Service at 9 AM

The Gathering at 11 AM

Hymn Sing Sunday, August 24th

Join us August 24th at both the Traditional and Gathering services for our annual Hymn Sing.

For those attending the Gathering, CLICK HERE to vote for your favorite hymns. The deadline to vote is August 18.

Blessing of the Backpacks, August 31st

All students are encouraged to bring their backpacks for the Blessing of the Backpacks at the 11 am Outdoor Service on August 31st. We will have a special recognition of students as they begin the new school year. We hope you’ll come and celebrate with us as we begin a new school year!

Outdoor Service - Sunday, August 31st at 11 am

Join us Sunday, August 31st at 11:00 am for an outdoor service. Please bring your lawn chair and an appetite for the End-Of-Summer Picnic following the service (see details below).

End-Of-Summer Picnic, Sunday, August 31st

Your Fun-Loving Fellowship Committee is hosting an End-of-Summer Picnic on Sunday, August 31st, (Labor Day weekend) after the single combined outdoor service at 11 am. 

We will be serving beef bbq sandwiches, vegan bbq sandwiches and cheese dogs, plus all the typical picnic sides. You can dine indoors in the Gym or outside with your folding chairs. Trays will be provided. 

There is no cost, but donation baskets will be available. Please sign-up by August 27, in the Gathering Place sign-up book or click HERE to sign up through Realm. Enjoy some social time together, as we savor the last days of summer.

Rally Day, Sunday, September 7th

Join us September 7th - more details to come!

Sympathy

We extend our prayers and sympathy to the family of Lori Scandle who passed away last weekend. Please keep Janee, Reese, Jeffrey, Josiah, Jacob and Jamilee in your thoughts and prayers. A service is scheduled for Lori on Saturday, August 16, 11:00 am, at Himmel's Church in Rebuck, PA. To read Lori's obituary, click HERE.

We have had other deaths in our church family this week. Please keep these families and friends in your thoughts and prayers:

• The Pepperman family upon the death of Scott's sister, Lori Jean McBride, after a valiant fight with cancer.
• Family of Verneda Hollinger who died August 12th.
• Jan Maurer's sister, Marjorie Kepler Vayda, died August 3rd.

Verneda Hollinger’s service information – 

Funeral services for Verneda Hollinger will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, August 19 at Malpezzi Funeral Home, 8 Market Plaza Way, Mechanicsburg, where there will be a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

https://www.malpezzifuneralhome.com/obituaries/Verneda-A-Hollinger?obId=43951561

Lori Jean Pepperman McBride Service information

A memorial service for Lori Jean will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. in the Myers-Baker Funeral Home, 1903 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of the service in the funeral home. Burial will be private. 

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/43944283/lori-jean-pepperman-mcbride

Adult Forum and Sunday School at 10:10 am

Join us August 17th as we continue our new study from author and speaker, Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham. This five-part lesson is titled, "Running with Jesus." This week our lesson is titled, "Run Focused on his Purpose". We will read and study scripture about how to unburden ourselves to be able to run more freely with Jesus. This class is for adults from 19 to 99, come and learn, come and discuss!

Youth Church and Preschool Sunday School will resume in September!

Gathering Video for this Week

This week's video features contemporary Christian singer, Josiah Green. The song is called; "Dusty Bibles." The lyrics talk about how we have dust on our Bibles, complain about our lives, but are too busy to pick up our Bible and just read. Come and view at 10:55 am or stay after the Benediction and view an encore performance.

Another New Ministry from SSPC Youth: Update!

The SSPC Youth and CORE members are pleased to announce a second new ministry here at SSPC. Inspired by our Meal with a Mission success with gathering laundry pods for Downtown Daily Bread, the new ministry is called Laundry Ministry. A large container is in the Gathering Place for your quarters every time you pass by. When we get about $25 or more in quarters, the youth will take them to a local laundromat and give them to patrons as outreach and taking our love for each other into our community. We appreciate the congregation's support of our efforts and as always, your prayers.

UPDATE - We have had unbelievable response and have been able to now purchase 40 cards to distribute to various laundromats throughout the West Shore. We will be headed out to another site very soon, with cards and laundry pods!

Monday Bible Study, August 25th

All are invited to join this unique study. We meet 1 pm to 3 pm every other week. We continue a study of Revelation as we watch sessions by Rev. Gary Hamrick, from Leesburg, Virginia. Come and learn, come and discuss. This class is for adults from 18 to 99!

Dining Out Group - August 20th

Join us on Wednesday, August 20th at 5:30 pm at Thea's Restaurant, 1303 Saxton Way, Mechanicusburg 17055. To reserve your spot, pleaes sign up in the Gathering Place or contact Angie Katzenstein, 386-846-8500.

Young Adults/Families Pool Party for August 31st has been cancelled.

Young Adults Christian Education Group, the Pathfinders!

New in 2025, CE and young leaders from SSPC have begun a new group for young adults over 18. The group has met several times, adopted the name, "Pathfinders", elected officers and are planning future meetings and events for all SSPC young adults and friends. For further information, contact Ty Headley. This group is for young adults from 19 and older, single or married! Watch for new events being planned!

Young Families Christian Education Group

Also new in 2025, CE has begun a new effort for our young families. We meet one Sunday a month with young families for lunch and discussion. We are planning one or more events this summer featuring earth care, food, fun and fellowship built for our young families. All interested families can contact Scott Pepperman at puppytrainer52@aol.com or 717-389-5100 for more information.

Manna Project

Over 17 years ago, SSPC began to welcome newcomers through the Manna Project. Each year, volunteers sign up to welcome visitors with a loaf of bread and to share information about SSPC along with what the church means to them. Many visitors have joined our church family because of a Manna Visit. Please consider participating in this project to welcome our new visitors. There is a new sign-up sheet in the Gathering Place. For any questions, please contact Shannon Leary at shanlear17@gmail.com.

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. Update: We continue to pray each week around the Storyboard; thanks to members of the congregation who continue to add requests!

Earth Care: Think about it

Dryer sheets are coated with liquid softeners, lubricants, and fragrances. For all the good dryer sheets can do — like reducing static in fabrics like wool — they can also harm your clothing. The same substances that reduce cling and make clothes softer can also result in damaging buildup on certain fibers, especially synthetic fabrics, like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex.

August ROAR Team Report

The SSPC ROAR Team spent the week of August 04 through 08, 2025 in Asheville, N.C. working with Asheville Habitat For Humanity in their Glenn Bridge community. The Team of sixteen volunteers were divided into work groups on six homes. The homes ranged from almost complete and ready for dedication to a home with a ladder for access and no windows or doors. The following bullet points show the variety of work accomplished during the work week.

•  Wrapped the window and door frames with waterproof tape.

•  Sealed the seam between the floor and the bottom plate with waterproof sealant.

•  Sealed the seam between the top plate and the wall studs with waterproof sealant.

•  Installed blocking in preparation for hanging cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms.

•  Installed exterior moisture barrier in the bathroom.

•  Installed ten windows.

•  Installed two doors.

•  Wrapped the exterior window and door tabs with waterproof tape.

•  Installed a firewall between the two homes.

•  Built utility chase.

•  Installed vapor barrier in the crawl space.

•  Installed exterior fiber board.

•  Installed screws to tie wall studs to roof trusses.

•  Installed blocking in preparation for installing flooring. 

•  Thoroughly cleaned two homes including vacuuming, mopping vinyl flooring, wiping out bathrooms and kitchens 

•  Completed punch list items in two homes including touch-up painting of walls and trim.

•  Weed and rock removal in preparation for laying of sod.

•  Installed baseboard, window and door trim in two homes.

•  Built and installed casing for windows in one home.

•  Installed support rails for closet shelving and installed the shelves in two homes.

All in all we had a safe and productive week as the hands and feet of our savior Jesus Christ. The Team is thankful for the prayers from the congregation that supported us throughout the week. 

Notes prepared by Terry Reed for the Mission Committee

New Hope Ministry

Needs for the month of AUGUST include: pasta sauce, peanut butter, and shampoo. Donation bins are located by the Chapel. Thank you for your support to this local ministry!

CORE Youth Group

CORE will meet on Sunday, August 17th. We will meet this week, at the CORE room, at 5 pm. We will have a CORE outing to "Dave and Buster's". Members of CORE recently planted flowers in the new "Youth Garden" beside the gym parking lot. Take a look the next time you are at church as we will continue to add to the garden!

CORE is from 6 pm to 8 pm in the CORE room, downstairs at the church in the Preschool on most Sundays. CORE is open to all youth from sixth grade to twelfth grade. CORE is about fellowship, service and Christian Education. Come and join us at our next meeting!

Prayers of healing and comfort:

Forrest Adams, Kris Carpinello's mother, Diane Arborgast, Elizabeth Bentzel, Debbie Bitting, Bob Buyers, Betsy Eichelberger, Margaret Glockner, Ron Kutz, Pat Langdon, Jan Larson, Roy McLain, Anne Pass, Rick Pierce, Ruth Stoll, Nancy Thomas

Prayers for Sympathy: Family of Lori Scandle (Janee, Reese, Jeffrey, Josiah, Jacob and Jamilee), Grace Russell, family of Verneda Hollinger, Scott Pepperman and family, Jan Maurer



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

Thank You 

Thank you for the prayers, cards and well wishes as I am recovering from knee replacement surgery. I feel truly blessed by our church community! Curt Hudson

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.