News

4 PM SUNDAY, MAY 1 IN THE SANCTUARY • FREE WILL OFFERING • FACE MASKS OPTIONAL

Renowned pianist Eun Ae Baik-Kim and violinist Ye-jin Han will take the stage to play selections including César Franck’s “Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano” and Johannes Brahms’ “Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108.”

Korean born pianist Eun Ae Baik-Kim has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician in South America and the United States and is familiar to Derry Church audiences. She is a winner of numerous competitions including “Chautauqua Piano Competition,” “Concurso para Jovens Solistas,” and “Concurso Estadual para Instrumentistas e Cantores,” and received a “Diploma de Honra” for distinguished artist by Conservatório Carlos Gomes. She was the youngest pianist to perform the significant concert series “Suite Iberia de Albeniz,” a festival sponsored by the Spanish Consulate in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Baik-Kim is a faculty member of Dickinson College where she is a devoted collaborative artist and teacher. 

The versatile Korean violinist/violist Ye-jin Han has performed throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Europe, and has been praised for her “pure, expressive tone” and “effortless playing” at her Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall debut. Dr. Han has been a prize winner at many competitions including the Citta di Brescia International Violin Competition in Italy, Five Towns Music and Arts Foundation Young Musician Competition, and Lilian Fuchs Memorial Chamber Music Competition in New York. She is a concertmaster of the Bergen Symphony Orchestra and recently played her fourth concerto with the orchestra as a soloist. Dr. Han holds a DMA from Stony Brook University and has a private studio which has produced many competition winners and musical leaders at conservatories and state/local youth orchestras. 

6 PM SATURDAY, MAY 7 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Ladies and girls, enjoy a dinner made just for you: vegetable and cheese tray (appetizer), chicken breast au jus, baked ziti with red or alfredo sauce, mixed vegetables, roll and butter, light dessert, coffee/tea and cold beverage. If you prefer a gluten-free or vegetarian option, notify the person when you purchase your ticket. Following the meal, “Who Is She? Women of the Bible” fashion show will be presented.

Price is $15 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Tickets will be available by Apr 17, with ticket purchase deadline on May 1.

Ready for youth trips, Derry Day Trippers and small groups, this vehicle can accommodate up to 12 passengers. Thanks to the Building & Grounds Committee for doing comparison shopping and finding a new vehicle at a time when they are so hard to get!

“Legacy: A Celebration in Song,” the Susquehanna Chorale’s spring concert, will be presented at 8 pm Friday, May 13 in the Sanctuary. Program highlights include sacred motets, early American hymns, love songs, and African-American spirituals. Participating Derry Church singers include Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl. A second performance will be given at 4 pm Sunday, May 15 at High Center, Parmer Hall at Messiah University. Read more.

Derry member Kathy Yingst has been hired to serve as our new Administrative Assistant. We are blessed that Kathy knows the church, its history, and its members well, and she will be a welcome addition to the office staff. Kathy has years of experience managing an office and is familiar with our equipment and software. She will also serve as Sandy’s backup for payroll and other financial matters because of her knowledge and experience working with office finances.

Kathy will continue to serve as Clerk of Session. There is a lot of crossover between the Administrative Assistant position and the Clerk’s duties, so this arrangement will streamline some of that work. Kathy’s first day is Monday, April 25 and she will be in the office 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Wow! My heart is overflowing with gratitude in your outpouring of love on my last Sunday. Thanks to everyone…from the choir’s beautiful anthems at both morning services, buffalo-checked attire that brought smiles and delights, Derry Ringers’ wonderful preludes, Grant’s ‘Country Road’ postlude (WV anthem), Derry Brass’ ‘Sweet Caroline’ prelude, and Ryan Yingst’s ‘Carolina in my Mind’ Tarheel anthem. AND that’s just the music. Loretta’s epic receptions (plural) were fabulous, beautiful, and delicious and included my favorites (even NC Cheerwine punch (no worries, it’s a soda!) and homemade, chocolate buffalo cookies! Thanks to the gifted army of hardworking kitchen volunteers who were there all day. 

The gift of the St. Matthew stained glass window in my honor is overwhelming to me. I am touched beyond words by your generosity and love. The baptism painting by Jill Peckelun and the hand woven scarf by Sandy Morales are treasured symbols of your love as well as the many gift cards from the Personnel committee. Even better were the words by people and puppets and the multitude of personal cards and gifts. Thanks to Sue and the tech crew for live streaming that enabled more family and friends to join in this celebration. I am humbled and touched with gratitude in this transition to retirement. 

It’s been a joy to serve as one of your pastors at Derry over these last years. At retirement the relationship between pastor and congregation changes. However, the relationships and friendships do not end, but my role as one of your pastors does. We know in the Presbyterian church, it is helpful that I absent myself from Derry worship services and activities for this season of transition. I will not be available to officiate at weddings, baptisms, or funerals for Derry members. Yet my love and prayers continue for each one. Brad and I are grateful for the gift of friendships in the Derry Church family.

From Brad: Oh Derry, you have pulled out all the stops for a most memorable celebration. You even exceeded Marie’s wish for a pony! One of the great joys of my 18 retirement years has been the privilege of sharing in the worship, ministry and mission life of Derry Church. I am so thankful to you for adopting me into the Derry family. For your support, partnership, affection and care for Marie across these years I am especially grateful. Thank you.

Media Links: Watch Marie’s final worship service and the 3 pm program on March 27. Click to see photos from the day of celebration… click here to see the pictures included in Pastor Marie’s slide show.

In addition to online giving, using church envelopes, or dropping cash in the offering boxes at church,  Derry now offers a third way to make a donation: by text messaging. Here’s how it works:

Open the texting app on your device. In the “To” bubble, enter 844-917-3359. In the “Message” bubble, enter the amount you wish to donate and press send. You will receive a registration link in return. Click the link and enter your contact and payment information, then tap “Process.”

After registration is complete, you’ll receive a verification text as well as a receipt via email. For future giving, simply send a text with the amount you wish to give and it will process automatically. Click here to download a quick-reference guide.

The spring series of New Member Discovery Classes will be held 9-10 am Sundays, May 1-22 in the John Elder Classroom. Child care is available.

Those who choose to join Derry Church will be received on Sunday, May 29 at the 10:30 am service. Registration is always appreciated, never required: RSVP by Wednesday, Apr 27.

8:30 – 11 AM SUNDAY, APR 17 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Whether you join in person or take out, don’t miss Derry’s traditional Easter breakfast this year. Chef Charlie Koch and friends are serving egg casserole, sausage, fruit, muffins and cinnamon rolls & beverage, with a suggested donation of $10 per meal or $25 per family. All proceeds support the Bridges to Community mission trip in June going to the Dominican Republic.

Are you looking for a position that combines leadership with the ability to have a positive impact on individuals during some of their most challenging days? The Parsonage Ministry Manager provides the day-to-day leadership for the Love INC Parsonage Ministry. The Parsonages provide a home-away-from-home for loved ones of adult inpatients of the Hershey Medical Center. Learn more and apply online.

As of Mar 29, Derry’s Matching Campaign has raised $71,500 for Ukraine Relief!

The One Great Hour of Sharing Campaign has raised $7.213, with this offering being received on Easter Sunday, Apr 17. The Mission & Peace Committee has set a goal of $18,000: click here to give online.