News

Presenting Derry’s 2022 keepsake ornament handcrafted by blacksmith Mark Smith!

Starting Nov 1, you can purchase ornaments in the church office (ask for Sue George). On Sunday mornings in November, you can buy them in the Narthex. These charming metal tree ornaments are 3″ wide by 4″ high and cost $15 each. 

Proceeds fund scholarships for students who attend Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan. Only 150 ornaments have been made, so don’t wait to get yours. 

9-10 SUNDAY, OCT 30

Issues Class
Room 7 and streaming on derrypres.org, YouTube and Facebook

Do you have what it takes to build and fly your own airplane? Join Howard Whyte on October 30 as he describes researching, building and flying a full scale 1917 Nieuport 28. The Nieuport 28 was a key component to America’s Aerial Defense in WW1. Learn about this aircraft and how one man recreated this legendary flying machine and flew it to glory.

Bible Study: Women in Matthew’s Genealogy/Tamar
Room 2

The book of Matthew begins with a genealogy of Jesus’ male descendants that includes mention of five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth (studied previously), Bathsheba and Mary. Who are these women and why are they included in this genealogy? What can these ancestors of Jesus teach us today? Join Tom Folts, Meara Kwee and friends for the next four weeks in a discussion drawn from the Bible study What My Grandmothers Taught Me by Merryl Blair. 

SUNDAY, NOV 20 IN 10:30 AM WORSHIP, RECEPTION FOLLOWING 

Earlier this year, Derry Church’s long-time secretary Teresa Hutcheson announced her retirement, and we’ve set the date to recognize Teresa in worship and celebrate and give thanks for her 23 years of service and ministry among us.

If you’d like, you may bring a card or mail one to the church (248 E. Derry Road, Hershey PA 17033) and we’ll make sure it’s included in the basket of cards she receives that day. The best gift is your presence in worship that day, when you can tell Teresa how much you’ve appreciated all she’s done to support our congregation.

Our Syrian refugee family of six is residing temporarily in one of the Love INC Houses of Hope. You can ease their transition to Pennsylvania by reviewing this list, and if you can help fulfill any of these needs, please contact Pete Feil.

• Permanent, affordable three-bedroom home
• 6-passenger vehicle
• Weather station for indoor/outdoor temperatures and weather forecast
• Two-shelf shoe rack, approximately 12″ wide by 36-48″ long
• Food grinder or food processor
• Hot sandwich maker
• Waffle iron

Gently used or new clothing (include a copy of your receipt in case we need to exchange):

• Boy’s tops, tracksuits and sweatshirts size small and medium
• Boy’s pants size 10-12 (25″ waist)
• Boots size 10.5 mens for a 12-year-old boy
• Boy’s size 10-12 (24″ waist)
• Boots size 8 mens for an 11-year-old boy
• Boys size 6-8 clothing
• Boots size 2 for a 6-year-old boy
• Girl’s clothing size small
• Pajamas for all, including warm flannel items for winter
• Men’s heavy duty jacket for warehouse work size large
• Men’s work boots size 10.5 or 10.5W or 11

From Nov 27 – the first Sunday in Advent – through Sunday, Dec 11, Derry Church will be giving and receiving! In the upstairs hallway, you will be able to pick up Advent devotionals and drop off items for the food bank, medical supplies for one of our mission partners, and gift cards for racetrack workers and children whose families use the Hershey Food Bank and Community Outreach.

The Season of Giving takes the place of last year’s Derry Drive-Thru and previous years when you could choose tags from the Christmas tree in the downstairs atrium. You won’t see a tree downstairs this year as that space is now being used for fellowship and community. Just pop upstairs to participate in Derry’s Season of Giving!

You can still get a seat on the bus to New York City on Saturday, Nov 19, but don’t wait too long: Oct 30 is the last Sunday to sign up in the Narthex to claim your seat. After that, you can contact Cindy Royer to check on open seats. Then get ready to spend a day on your own in the city doing what you enjoy most: shopping, dining, sightseeing, museums, or all of the above! Cost is $60 for transportation only. Click for details. Questions? Contact Cindy Royer. 

The Logos Experience provides a closer look at Logos Academy and an opportunity to meet students like Grayson (pictured below). Our first Logos Experience is scheduled for Monday, Nov 7 at 8:30 am. Enjoy a light breakfast with some of Grayson’s classmates, followed by a school tour and a brief presentation. The program concludes promptly at 9:30 am.

Andy Phillips, CEO/Head of School, extends a warm invitation to Derry Church members and friends to attend. Derry has had a significant part in enabling the school to serve our students with a quality and compassionate education in a Christ-centered environment.

Click here to register for the Logos Experience

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 9/30/22

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $82K ahead of 2021 and $51K ahead of estimated contributions through August
• Mission and Peace is $24K behind 2021. Building & Grounds is about $38K below 2021. We do expect these committees to spend their 2022 budget.

8:45 AND 11:45 AM IN THE CHAPEL

Join Pastor Stephen after worship on Sunday as he begins a new series of 11 Minute Lessons: “Bible 101.” Over the next few months, Pastor Stephen will provide answers to basic questions like, “What is the Bible?” “Who Wrote the Bible?” “Why does the Bible often tell stories more than once?” “Why are some Psalms so similar?” There’s a new question each week, and the answers will enlighten and perhaps even surprise you. Don’t miss it!

DEPART DERRY CHURCH AT 4:30 PM MONDAY, OCT 31

It’s the fifth Monday on Oct 31, 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 Craig Smith

As part of our preparation for our 300th anniversary, which involves a massive cemetery restoration, we are looking for volunteers to assist with the cleaning of many of the older tombstones which have been recently repaired and/or reset. The first training date is set for 1:30 pm Friday, Oct 28. This is not a difficult task, but will take some time. Many hands will make light work. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathy Yingst. Thank you for your consideration! 

The Buildings & Grounds Committee takes the safety of Derry’s members and guests very seriously, and asks all participants in church services, concerts, and activities held in the sanctuary, to use the stairs by the hand rails when stepping up AND stepping down from the chancel. These stairs have been taped with black and yellow tape, similar to that used on the riser by the pulpit. Everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.