News

12:10 PM WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING FEB 22 

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

FEB 22: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
MAR 1: Derry Church with Pastor Stephen preaching
MAR 8: First United Methodist Church
MAR 15: Hershey Free
MAR 22: All Saints Episcopal
MAR 29: Holy Trinity Lutheran at Derry Church

5:30 PM SATURDAY, FEB 25 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Warm up a winter’s evening at Derry’s 22nd annual Chili Cook-Off & Square Dance! We begin with a chili supper. Those attending should bring a dish to pass: salad, dessert, or a favorite chili recipe. Informal judging will determine 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.

There is no charge to attend, and all ages are welcome.

Hello My Dear Friend. I am Anaya from class 4. I wish to become a doctor. My parents are not so rich to fulful 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 12 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 Debbie Hough’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2023.

For 12 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 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 giving online through the Derry Church giving portal.

This fundraiser continues through February 2023.

DEPART FROM DERRY IN THE CHURCH VAN AT 9:45 AM • TOUR BEGINS 11 AM FRIDAY, FEB 17 AT THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CAPITOL, HARRISBURG

Join the Derry Day Trippers for a tour of our state capitol, with lunch following at the Capitol Restaurant. For this free tour, 20 spots have been reserved. RSVP by Feb 1 to Richard Carty.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 12/31/22

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $74K ahead of 2021 and $50K ahead of budgeted contributions
• Building & Grounds is about $53K below budget, with $20,897 carried into 2023.
• We finished the year with a positive change in net assets of $100,700.

DEPART DERRY CHURCH AT 4:30 PM MONDAY, JAN 30

It’s the fifth Monday on Jan 30, so it’s Derry Church’s turn to bring dinner to the racetrack workers in Grantville. Our own Loretta Chubb is preparing the meal, and you can help by providing desserts and serving the meal. Questions? Ready to sign up? Contact Marilyn Koch.

The congregation had a chance to hear the Steinway grand piano recommended by the piano committee in Sunday morning worship and at an afternoon recital on Jan 8. The piano is on loan for several weeks as our congregation discerns whether or not to purchase it as a memorial to Lee Ann Taylor that will enhance our music program and be a legacy for future generations.

At this time only pledges are being accepted toward the piano: to pledge your financial support over one or two years, please contact Sandy Miceli or Pastor Stephen. The total amount pledged will indicate to the Session how much interest and support there is for purchasing this instrument. Session will then make a final decision at either its January or February meeting, when the elders have heard from all the church committees and evaluated progress of the pledge campaign. 

If you have any questions about the piano or process, please reach out to Dick Hann or Dan Dorty.

5 PM SATURDAY, FEB 11 IN THE SANCTUARY

Our “Story of Faith” series continues by exploring the story of love through the music of Elton John. We’ll sing, pray, and discuss the love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. We’ll have some really familiar songs like Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Your Song, Rocket Man, and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. We’ll also have some less familiar songs like Finish Line, Thank You For All Your Loving, and Dear God. Bring a friend and join us for this special worship opportunity.

The annual meeting of the congregation will be held following 10:30 am worship on Sunday, Feb 12. The meeting will be live streamed. Anyone who has questions or comments is encouraged to attend in person.

The annual report will be sent by email as a PDF attachment in early February, with paper copies available for pickup at church by Sunday, Feb 5.

There will be NO 8 am service on Sunday, Feb 12. Church school and the 10:30 am service will be held as usual, with the annual meeting following worship. 

Derry Church members seeking to enroll their children at Derry Discovery Days preschool for the 2023-24 school year may register for open spots Jan 21-26, before registration opens to the general public. Children in the Ladybug class must be one by Sept 1, 2023. To request registration information and/or a tour of the school, please contact Laura Cox, director. We would love to have your family join our DDD family!

On Saturday, May 6 the PW Ladies Banquet will be held in Fellowship Hall. Following the meal, a bridal fashion show will be presented. If you have your wedding dress and would like to  wear it, the organizers would love to have it in the show. If you choose not to model your dress, they will find someone who can wear it as long as the dress is available by April 15. All dresses will be returned that evening. For more information and to participate, please contact Jeanette Weaver by April 2.