News

Observant users of the church website will have noticed a new “300th Anniversary” tab has been added that includes a listing of anniversary events and a brand-new interactive church timeline. Keep up with all that’s happening in 2024 by checking the events tab throughout the year.

Hershey New Year’s Eve returns on Dec 31 for its 19th fun-filled year! Revelers will enjoy live bands, great food and drinks, and family friendly activities culminating in the Hershey Kiss raise at midnight and a fireworks display. Click to view the 2023 schedule.

SUNDAY, DEC 24 IN THE SANCTUARY • LIVE STREAMING AT 10:30 AM, 5 PM & 7:30 PM

8:30-10 am: Breakfast in Fellowship Hall (donation supports mission)

10:30 am One service on the fourth Sunday in Advent.

Celebrate the birth of our savior at three distinctive Christmas Eve candlelight worship services:

2:30 pm: Worship includes Lessons and Carols and communion, with holiday music presented by the Derry Brass.

5:00 pm: A candlelight service of Lessons and Carols featuring participation by children and music for the entire family to enjoy.

7:30 pm: A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service of Lessons and Carols, with music provided by the Derry Ringers and the Sanctuary Choir.

All Christmas Eve services include singing “Silent Night” and sharing candlelight, symbolizing that the Light of the World has come.

Child care available at 5 pm. The lounge adjacent to the Sanctuary offers a candle-free worship zone and a space where young families can move about freely.

10:30 AM MONDAY, DEC 25 IN THE CHAPEL

Come as you are for a worship service that includes carol singing and a Christmas story, followed by refreshments, fellowship, and a birthday cake for Jesus in the John Elder Classroom and Hammond Library adjacent to the Chapel.

• Christmas Eve: No 8 am worship or church school classes on Sunday, Dec 24. Instead, have breakfast in Fellowship Hall from 8:30-10 am prepared by Charlie Koch and friends (your donation benefits 2024 mission trips). After breakfast, worship on the fourth Sunday in Advent at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary and streaming, then come back later for Christmas Eve services.
• Christmas Day: come for informal worship in the Chapel at 10:30 am Monday, Dec 25, then celebrate Jesus’ birthday (with cake) in the John Elder Classroom and Hammond Library
• Church office closed Dec 26 & 27: No eNews this week.
• New Year’s Eve: No 8 am worship or church school classes on Sunday, Dec 31. Worship at 10:30 am on New Year’s Eve in the Sanctuary and streaming.

8:30-10 AM SUNDAY, DEC 24 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL • DONATION

On Christmas Eve there will be no 8 am worship or church school classes, but there will be a delicious buffet breakfast! Drop by to enjoy egg strata, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, fruit cut, assorted muffins and juices, and coffee & tea. There will also be gluten-free options and a selection of dry cereal. 

8-10 AM TUESDAY, DEC 19 IN THE PARKING LOT 

Need a little extra energy the week before Christmas? Stop by Cool Beans Brew Coffee Truck and select from a variety of coffee, cold brews, teas, refreshers and speciality holiday drinks ranging from $5-$8. Pay by cash, credit, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Brought to you by Derry Discovery Days Preschool.

In so many ways, you have spread the joy and shared God’s love this Christmas season!

BLOOD DRIVE

• 38 Donors registered!
• 31 units of blood collected!
• Derry’s blood drive will help to save up to 93 lives! 

FOOD DRIVE

• 697 pounds of Food to Hershey Food Pantry

CLOTHING DRIVE

• A giant carload of clothing delivered to Allison Hill Ministries

GIFT CARDS

• The congregation donated enough to meet our goal of 100 gift cards: 45 for racetrack workers in Grantville and 55 to Derry Township Social Ministries families

2023 offering envelopes are available for pickup in the Narthex by those who told us they would like to continue using envelopes next year. Questions? Contact Sandy Miceli.

1 PM WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 IN THE LOUNGE

“Mary and Martha Encounter Jesus” is the lesson based on Luke 10:38-42 when the Presbyterian Women’s Circle gathers this month. All women are invited to join. Each lesson stands alone, so drop in to these monthly studies as your schedule allows.

Many hands are needed to support Derry’s Christmas Eve services, from candle lighters to communion servers and cleaner-uppers. Click this link to sign up for the role that works for you. Thanks, Derry!

We HOPE you will visit the Ruth Codington Library this month to see our great collection of holiday books. We know you will find something you LOVE, perhaps in our Fiction section where Jennifer Chiaverini’s Christmas Bells explores Christmas past and present through the familiar words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Or pick up Richard Paul Evans’ mysterious Christmas Box with an ending that will fill you with the PEACE of the season. Bonhoeffer’s sermons, the Grinch, Chicken Soup for the Soul, those Herdman kids, a crippled lamb, and many more are waiting on the shelves to bring you holiday JOY.

While you’re there, read the Advent verse of the day, learn more about our staff’s holiday favorites (can you guess which movie rascal is Shawn Gray’s favorite Christmas character?) and write your picks on our graffiti wall (which is your favorite advent theme?)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.