Turkey Valley UMC -
Turkey Valley Church Newsletter
“KNOW, GROW, GO”
13606 State Route 235
Millerstown, Pennsylvania 17062
(717) 589-
February 5, 2012
www.turkeyvalleychurch.org
It Is Well with My Soul
I find worship to be extremely soothing. Worship is many things, but for me the dominate aspect of worship is music and song. I feel it is like singing my prayers to God or singing my statements of belief and faith. It helps me to reconnect to God and to refocus. If I’m frustrated or angered or depressed or whatever, I often take some time alone to either crank up the Christian radio station or CD player or pull out the guitar to sing, to worship, to pray, to mediate.
Music and song have always been very powerful to me. Recently with Nancy’s diagnosis of breast cancer and her mom being in and out of the hospital over the last 2 weeks, many have been concerning with how we are doing or how we are holding up. We are tired from the extra running around, but we are blessed. God is good and He is faithful. God has proven Himself to be a strong foundation for me and my family.
What we already believe and claim through song is playing itself out for us in our lives:
“Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering
Through there’s pain in the offering, blessed be you name.”
“Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save.”
“Our God is Greater. Our God is stronger. God, You are higher than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power…”
“Your grace has broken every chain. My sins are gone my debt’s been paid. You gave
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“Your grace is enough.”
“I need Thee every hour. O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.”
“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul. It is well with my soul. It is well; it is well, with my soul.”
Thank you for all your prayers and notes and calls. We greatly appreciate all the support of our church family and many brothers and sisters throughout our sister churches.
It is well with our souls! Praise God.
Take Risks and God Bless,
Pastor Sal
Prayer Meeting
"Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers." Sidlow Baxter
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil …” E.M. Bounds
Join us on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 for a brief teaching and time of prayer. There is an extended and undirected time of prayer from 8 to 9 for those who wish to stay or for those who may be just arriving.
On Sundays, join Pastor Sal at the altar rail for prayer or the “Lord, prepare my heart” time of prayer at 9:45 in the Whiteland Classroom.
Food Pantry – A Correction
On the 1st Sunday of each month, we will be receiving a special offering for the
food pantry. The food pantry currently does a bi-
Shoeboxes: Operation Christmas Child – 1,000 Shoeboxes!
On the 1st Sunday of each month (you can bring donations anytime), we will have a special emphasis of items we are collecting. We are hoping to collect a little bit each month toward our goal. Pick up a list of monthly suggestions in the back of the sanctuary and watch for updates on how we are doing.
All-
Saturday, March 3rd from 7 AM to 10 AM is an all-
Easter Plans
So far our average Sunday attendance is 91. We are hoping to see 200 at our Easter service on Sunday, April 8th. Please be praying for this and inviting folks to come. Easter Sunday will be a free brunch at 10:15 followed by music and drama. The children will have a smaller version of the eggstravanganza for them in the basement. Our theme is HOPE. Our entire Easter offering is going toward our Shoebox project. In order to send 1,000 shoeboxes we need to raise $7,000.00
Who’s Who – Our Staff Here at Turkey Valley
From time to time, you may have an idea or a concern that you want to share. The following members of our church family oversee and help direct the following areas:
• Children: Doug Karper
• Youth (Jr.&Sr.): Eric Barner
• Assimilation (Hospitality): Sheri Zentichko
• Adults & Small Groups: Nancy Buonocore
• Missions & Service Projects: Trish Wagner
• Congregational Care/Stephens Ministry: Tina Linn
• Nursery: Lindsey Stitt
• Bridge Events: Cindy Boonie
• Care & Share: Doug Karper
• Worship: Rick Boonie
• Prayer: Arlene Koser
Prayer Meetings for Revival
The Central PA Prayer Network (CPPN.org) is holding community wide prayer services for renewal and revival. These prayer meetings are on Tuesday evenings at 7PM on the 2nd, 3rd and last Tuesdays of the month. On the 2nd Tuesday it is held in a Snyder County Church. On the 3rd Tuesday it is held in a Juniata/Mifflin County Church. And on the last Tuesday it is held at the Newport Community Life Center for Perry County. Check the web site for specifics. Hopefully Turkey Valley will be hosting this again and we encourage you to come and be a part of it.
Check Out Care & Share
Stop by Care & Share to see what is happening. Talk to Doug Karper about volunteering some time or ask what other needs they may have or simply come do some shopping. You may be surprised at what you find. Care & Share has been a tremendous blessing to help those in our community who find themselves struggling with financial difficulties.