News

5:30 PM SATURDAY, FEB 24 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Homemade chili and square dancing highlight Derry Church’s 23nd Annual Chili Cook-Off and Square Dance. There is no charge to attend, and all ages are welcome.

The evening begins with a chili supper. Those attending should bring a dish to pass: salad, dessert, cornbread, or a favorite chili recipe. Informal judging determines cook-off winners in the chili and dessert categories, and best-dressed adult, boy and girl will be recognized.

Following the supper, participants will enjoy a variety of line and square dances, including kid-friendly options.

Dear Donor, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am Ezran. I study in class 4-A. My school name is P.E.B. Boys’ high school Sargodha. Dear donor, thank you for supporting me in my studies. It will help me to continue my studies. I want to become an army officer. Thank you for your support.

For 13 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or online through the church website.

Learn more:

• Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
• Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years

This fundraiser continues through February 2024

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 12/31/23:

	ACTUAL	BUDGETED
Income YTD:	$1,239,072	$1,300,000
Expenses YTD:	$1,218,473	$1,370,882
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	$20,599	($70,882)

11:30 AM-1 PM SUNDAY, FEB 4 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL • $10 PER PERSON, FREE FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN & YOUNGER

The Derry Church-sponsored Cub Scout Pack 200 and Troop 2200 invite you to a spaghetti lunch fundraiser following worship on Sunday, Feb 4. The meal includes spaghetti, sauce, salad, roll, drink, and dessert. Gluten free and meat-free sauce options available, as well as take-out. Proceeds will support scouting opportunities including summer camp and outdoor activities.

Cub Scout Pack 200 is for boys and girls grades K-5. The Pack meets on Mondays at Derry Church from 6:30-7:30 pm. Contact Cubmaster Willam Day for more information. Troop 2200 is for girls grades 6-12. The Troop meets on Mondays at the Derry Church Scout House from 5:45-6:45 pm. Contact Scoutmaster Jeff Hosenfeld for more information. Find them on Facebook.

Help the kitchen crew prepare enough for all: RSVP now.

9:15 AM WEDNESDAY, FEB 14 IN THE SANCTUARY
Join Derry Discovery Days preschool families for a brief conversation with Pastor Stephen and Shawn, and imposition of ashes.

7 PM WEDNESDAY, FEB 14 IN THE CHAPEL
A contemplative hour-long service led by Pastor Stephen and Shawn includes hymns, a sermon, and celebration of the Lord’s supper along with imposition of ashes.

The churches of the Hershey Ministerium invite you to noontime worship services followed by lunch provided by the host church ($5 suggested donation). It’s a great way to add devotional time to your Lenten practice as we gather in community with our Christian neighbors.

2024 Schedule:
12 pm Ash Wednesday, Feb 14: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Led by Rev. Ursula Schreffler of Zion Lutheran Church, Union Deposit, and John Triscik of St. Joan of Arc

12 pm Wednesday, Mar 6: Derry Church Sanctuary with lunch in Fellowship Hall
Led by Rev. Cindy Brommer from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Rev. Jim Smith from Country Meadows

12 pm Good Friday, Mar 29: First United Methodist Church
Led by Rev. Adam Ulm from Spring Creek Church of the Brethren and Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker

Derry Discovery Days preschool registration for new Derry Church families for the 2024-25 school year begins Saturday, Jan 20 and runs through Tuesday, Jan 23. Children ages 1-5 can be registered for any of our four age group classes. To receive registration information, email Laura Cox, Director. Tours can be scheduled.

Hello my dear friends, I am Anaya from Class 4. I wish to become a doctor. My parents are not so rich to fulfill all my school needs. God is great. He sent His angel in your face to support me. I love you too much. I wish to serve the poor people of my country. I request you to please support me always. We pray for you daily. May God bless you always. Amen

For 13 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or online through the church website.

Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2024.

• In the PW basket in the mission closet, you’ll find kits to sew hygiene bags. Precut fabric and ribbons and instructions are included. Sign your name if you take one, and return by April. Doris Feil can answer your questions.
• PW designates the 25th of each month as Orange Day to recognize the exploitation of females and work to end it throughout the world. January is also National Human Trafficking Month. Trafficking victims are 80% female. Of those, 80% are sexual trafficking and 20% are labor trafficking. Recently some police departments are arresting and publishing names of those who are paying for services rather than the victims’ names. Publicity has reduced incidents in some locations. Most traffickers and their victims are of same race. Wear orange or an orange ribbon on Thursday, Jan 25 to show support for efforts to eliminate these exploitations.

9-11 AM SATURDAY, JAN 27 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL 

Derry Discovery Days Preschool invites Derry Church families for a fun-filled morning featuring a pancake bar, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, crafts and games. Cost is $25 per family. RSVP to Laura Cox by Jan 24.

• Examined and approved the ordination and installation on January 14, 2024 of newly elected ruling elders and deacons.
• Approved a baptism request for Reese MacFarlane, daughter of Erica & Brendan MacFarlane, who will be a part of the upcoming new member class.
• Approved a building use request to hold a Japanese Swordmanship Seminar on Friday and Saturday, Jan 26-27 in Fellowship Hall.
• Approved Derry’s 2024 budget as follows: $1,322,800 income, $1,415,711 expenses leaving a projected deficit of $92,911. Historically, expenses are less than budget projections and with the addition of a portion of the income from the Anderson Trust, any shortfall, if it occurs, can be minimized.
• Stewardship & Finance reported that with the end-of-year giving and underspending of budgets by the committees, we may end 2023 with a budget surplus. If there is a surplus, the Session will address how to use it at the January 2024 meeting when final figures are available.
• To increase opportunities for giving, the QR code included in the bulletin will be added to the livestream projection during the “Thanksgiving for Gifts Received” portion of the worship service. In addition, Stewardship & Finance will look for ways to increase the visual prominence of our collection boxes for depositing financial gifts.
• Approved the Presbyterian Women 2024 collections: Blanket + Fund, Birthday and Thank offerings. The Cookie Walk Jumbles Shop event will be held Saturday, Dec 7.
• As part of this year’s confirmation class, Pastor Stephen has issued a “Be a Blessing Challenge” in which each confirmand will be given $100 to bless an organization or cause. The purpose goes beyond giving money with each person encouraged to think how she can use the money to engage and invest in her cause. Session approved a request submitted by Alex Patton to solicit the congregation for books for a mini library, which she is proposing for her project. More information on specific books needed will be forthcoming.
• The term of active service will end in January for elders: Duncan Campbell, Jessica Delo, Pete Feil, Claudia Holtzman, Gregg Robertson, and Laura Williams. Thank you to these elders for their leadership over the past three years, which included the challenges of the pandemic, helping Derry to continue to meet its commitment to proclaim God’s Word, share God’s love, and practice God’s justice.
• This being ME Steelman’s final session meeting as a staff member, the Session acknowledged and thanked her for her commitment and dedication to Derry’s children and Christian Education program.

6:30-7:30 PM THURSDAY, JAN 25 IN THE YOUTH ROOM

Derry dads are gathering this month for conversation, snacks and games. Pastor Stephen may even bring some of his venison bologna, but you’ll need to show up to find out.