News

6:30 – 8 AM SUNDAY, APR 9 AT THE HERSHEY GARDENS

A Hershey Gardens tradition starting in 1947, the community is invited to join the Hershey Ministerium for this non-denominational service. Proceeds support the Hershey Food Bank and Love INC of Greater Hershey.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held under the tent in the Milton and Catherine Hershey Conservatory. Gates open at 6 am. Guests must exit by 8 am. 

Taking the Grand Prize is Sally “Grand Finale” McKinney, who not only wins the Victory Trophy but also gets her name engraved on the Plaque of Champions!

The following folks had a great run, and are deserving of their Top 5 Overall Medal:
2nd Place: Gracie “Marine Queen” Gavazzi. We don’t expect you to come back from the UK for your medal, but commissioner Pete will hold it for you until you return!
3rd Place: Jim “Clever Pig” Cunningham
4th Place: Andy “No Look” Cook, Top 5 for the second year in a row!
5th Place: Stacey “No Fluke” Ruch

Winning medals for the subgroups are a wide range of Derry faithful:
Best in Retirees: Joan “The Sage” Smith (we’ll pay you a visit at Londonderry Village, Joan!)
Best in Music: Matt “Satchmo” Smoluk
Best in Session: Gregg “3G” Robertson
Best in Children (0-11): Delaney “Stormin’” Gorman — great job, Delaney!
Best in Youth (12-18): Noah “Pinewood” Siegrist
Best in Staff: Kathy “The Accompanist” Yingst

Pastor Stephen has decreed that a brief “Presentation of Awards” will take place during the preliminary announcements at 10:30 am worship on Easter Sunday. If any of the folks named above are present, you will be recognized and called up to collect your hardware, and you can celebrate the risen Lord with an extra accolade!

4 PM SUNDAY, MAY 7 IN THE SANCTUARY • FREE WILL OFFERING • AN ARTS ALIVE EVENT

Now in their 45th concert season, Voices of the Valley will share their joy of singing by presenting works by Aaron Copland, Moses Hogan, Ysaye Barnwell, Cyndi Lauper, Andre J. Thomas, Eric Whitacre and more. Voices of the Valley had its inception as the Alumni Chorale of Lebanon Valley College. Since 2014, Gregg Mauroni has served as the choir’s artistic director.

Voices of the Valley is known for performing representative choral literature from all the major periods at a high level of excellence, and is dedicated to providing high quality musical experiences that enrich and enhance the lives of its listeners and the choir members.

Have you visited the Ruth Codington Library lately? It’s right inside entrance #1 on the building’s lower level. A committee of Derry library lovers has been working diligently to grow and organize our diverse book collection. You can even search the online catalog (also accessible via the Derry Church homepage). Want to take something home? All you have to do is remove the card from the back of the book, write your name and the date on it, and place it in the box on the shelf. Easy! Drop in often to see our new monthly library themes.

During the month of April, Look for New Life in the Library. Experience the colorful sights of spring and celebrate new life in Jesus with a book from our Easter collection. April is also National Poetry Month. Browse and borrow a book of poems and add your own verse to our interactive Poet Tree near the church office door. 

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:11-12

2 PM SUNDAY, MAY 7 AT ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 165 FIREHOUSE ROAD, GRANTVILLE

Come and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of learning about women of the Bible as Anita Gutschick portrays Esther, Lot’s Wife and Rahab. A free will offering will be received. 

7:30 PM FRIDAY, MAY 12 IN THE SANCTUARY

Experience music old and new, crafted or recrafted by some of the world’s finest composers and arrangers, that explores our human journey in song. Program highlights include Stephen Paulus’ Pilgrim’s Hymn, Ola Gjeilo’s The Ground, and the South African song, Indodana, Eric Nelson’s arrangements of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and When Memory Fades, and The Girl I Left Behind Me and The Nightingale set by Dan Forrest. Participating Derry Church singers include Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl. Read more.

8:30 – 11 AM SUNDAY, APR 9 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Chef Charlie Koch and friends are serving egg casserole, scrambled eggs, pancakes (plain & chocolate chip), sausage and bacon, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, mixed fruit, orange & apple juices, milk, milk, coffee and tea.

Suggested donation of $10 per meal ($5 for children under 12) or $25 per family. All proceeds support the Bridges to Community mission trip in June going to the Dominican Republic.

9:15 AM SUNDAY, APR 30 HYBRID: ON ZOOM AND IN ROOM 7
9:15 AM SUNDAYS, MAY 7-14-21 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM

The spring series of New Member Discovery Classes gives you the opportunity to learn more about the mission and ministry of Derry Church, and discover how you’d like to share your talents in the life of the church. First week is on Zoom (click to join) and in person, and you’ll also meet staff and leaders over the course of four weeks and tour the church. Those who decide to join will be received on Sunday, May 21.

Registration is appreciated by not required: sign up online or call the church office (717-533-9667).

Our 2023 “Shares for Scholarships” campaign has come to a close, and your response was overwhelming: 60 total contributors gave a grand total of $21,516! That’s $7,104 more than was raised in 2022!

Thank you for your generous outpouring of love for the children of Pakistan. Your gifts make it possible for 47 students to benefit from a year full of learning (in 2022, we supported about 30 students). This year’s campaign raised:

• 43 full scholarships for day students (each full scholarship = $400)
• Gifts of partial shares by 17 people that add up to another 4.5 full scholarships

This total doesn’t include what’s being raised right now through the Mission Madness basketball fundraiser, or the 18 scholarships funded by Derry members and friends outside of the Shares program, or the 5 scholarships given by the Mission and Peace Committee. Stay tuned for an exciting final report in coming weeks!

We can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Bless you and shalom from Derry’s Friends of Sargodha committee!

Presbyterian Women in Carlisle Presbytery: Spring Gathering
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 AT MECHANICSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Registration opens 9 am, gathering begins 9:30 am
The morning program is “Substance Abuse Disorder – What Is It?” After lunch, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will give a presentation on their work. A light lunch is available ($5 donation). To carpool, contact Doris Feil.

Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Women Gathering
JULY 10-12 AT THE PENN STATER, STATE COLLEGE
The keynote speaker is Susan Jackson Dowd, PW Executive Director. The gathering features an overview of the coming Horizons Bible study plus 11 workshops from which to choose. The Presbytery Coordinating Team authorized $100 scholarships for up to 20 women. Cost is $350 per person for a double room and $485 for single room. Registration deadline: May 31. Download a registration form, check the PW bulletin board for more details or contact Doris Feil.

Lasses & Lassies Banquet
6 PM SATURDAY, MAY 6 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
This years’ program is Bridal Show with members of both churches modeling dresses worn in their own or a family member’s wedding. The menu includes appetizers, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, gravy and cake. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available on request. $15/person over age 12, $7 for ages 4-12. Purchase tickets on Sunday mornings, April 16 and 30. To participate in the bridal show, notify Jeanette Weaver or Doris Feil by Apr 2.

Plans are in the works for a family friendly Krislund Camp getaway weekend. Mark your calendars now and attend one of the informational meetings listed below:

6:30 PM SUNDAY, APR 16 AT BETH EL TEMPLE, 2637 NORTH FRONT ST, HARRISBURG • $20/PERSON INCLUDES SALMON DINNER SERVED AFTER SUNDOWN

The Freedom Seder is an interfaith event that commemorates the journey from slavery to freedom for Jews in ancient Egypt and for African-Americans in the United States. We celebrate these emancipations while acknowledging the forms of hatred and oppression that persist today, and committing to work against them together. We will sing, perform Passover rituals, share a meal, and and learn about modern-day systemic oppression as we explore how we can be United Against Hatred.Please RSVP by Apr 10. Questions? Contact Patty Brown at (717 232-0556).