News

Come to church at 10:30 am on Epiphany Sunday, Jan 1 to worship and to choose a star gift for 2023! Baskets of stars will be at the Chapel and Sanctuary entrances. Choose a star gift and reflect on that word for the coming year. Take it home and hang it up where you can see it every day. Ponder what significance this word might have in your life, and how God might be speaking to you through that simple message.

Hershey New Year’s Eve returns on Dec 31 with a full celebration for its 18th year. Organizers are excited to announce that 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 2022 schedule.

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank reports these figures from Derry’s blood drive on Sunday, Dec 11: 

• 36 people registered to donate.
• 30 units of blood were collected: these are great percentages!
• Derry Church donors helped to save up to 90 lives

Thanks to everyone who participated in some way to make the blood drive a success.

The Session has called a special congregational meeting for Sunday, January 1, 2023 following the 10:30 am worship service to elect Jennifer Toth Reed as a Deacon, Class of 2025. She has been nominated to fill the position vacated by Bill McGregor.

Beginning Jan 10, 2023, Tuesday evening worship with communion will be held weekly in the Chapel at 6:15 pm. Everyone welcome to join creative and informal worship that offers prayer, singing, and a brief meditation. Check the eNews each week for more details.

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.

10:30 AM MONDAY, DEC 19 AT THE MAIN BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, EAST WING “CONNECTIONS CLUB ROOM”

Pastor Stephen will lead worship with communion, prayers, and a meditation. A time for fellowship follows the service.

Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift or coach thank-you? Consider Fox Meadows Creamery Gift Cards! Your purchase of gift cards in any amount will benefit Derry Discovery Days Preschool.

Fox Meadows Creamery in Ephrata offers farm fresh ice cream and dairy treats as well as delicious lunch items. It has won Best Ice Cream of Lancaster for many years. Discovery Days will earn 25% of all gift card sales now through Dec 15.

To purchase gift cards, send Laura Cox an email that includes how many gift cards and their dollar value. Make checks payable to Derry Presbyterian Church notated “Creamery Gift Cards” and return to Laura Cox’s mailbox by Thursday, Dec 15. Your gift cards will be available for pick up later that week at the church.

2-4 PM TUESDAYS BEGINNING JAN 10 IN ROOM 7AB

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who walk alongside people through one of life’s most difficult experiences, offering support to those who are dealing with the loss of a loved ones from death.

Each GriefShare session is organized in two parts. During the first 30-40 minutes of the meeting, the group views a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting-to-watch television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments and on-location video. Following the video, participants spend time discussing what was presented on that week’s video seminar and what is going on in each other’s lives.

This session continues weekly through April 5. Those interested may begin attending the GriefShare group at any time. Each session is self-contained, and any missed weeks can be joined when the next 13-week cycle is offered.

Register by contacting the church office (717-533-9667). No cost to attend. Child care is not available.

Make your plans now to join Derry members and friends from June 10-18, 2023, as they return to the Dominican Republic with Bridges to Community to build a new home and to do Bible school activities. Those aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

All participants are advised to be fully vaccinated prior to the trip. Cost of the trip is $1,500. An application, obtained at https://www.bridgestocommunity.org, and full payment to Derry are due by March 5, 2023. Oak Fund grants to cover up to half the cost are available.

Sign up on the Mission and Peace bulletin board in the Narthex near the nursery. For more information, contact Pete Feil (717-566-8250).

The January-March issue of “These Days: Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” is now available for pickup at the office and courtyard entrances. Take one for yourself, give some to those you love this Christmas season.