1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Grossnickle Church of the Brethren
May 2014
MOTHER’S DAY AND BLANKET SUNDAY
On Sunday, May 11, 2014, we will celebrate Blanket Sunday and Mother's Day! The Outreach
Commission invites you to donate blankets through the Church World Service. Please consider
donating $5.00 per blanket in honor of all special women in our lives including, our mothers,
grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and wives who have nurtured us.
Grossnickle Church of the Brethren will join 8,000 congregations and
groups across the United States to hold a Church World Service blanket
event with a goal of providing for people in need in the United States and
across the world!
To participate, on May 11, make checks payable to "Grossnickle Church
of the Brethren" and indicate "for blankets". Please note you can also
purchase or make a blanket to donate. Those donations should be
brought to church by May 11th and will be donated to a local community
agency for persons in need.
Thank you for participating in this worthy cause and in honoring all the women in our lives. If you have
questions, please feel free to contact Angi Cornell, 301-293-8995.
MEMORIAL SUNDAY
During worship on Sunday, May 18 we will remember and celebrate the lives of members of our
congregation, relatives of members, and persons in the community who have died since the last
Memorial Remembrance. The bulletin insert for the service will list the names of these individuals.
If you have names to include, please call the church office, 301-293-9516, by Wednesday, May 14, 2014.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY
The Christian Education commission and the
children of our Sunday School invite you to the
Children’s Sunday program on May 4, 2014.
Myralee Wiles will direct the children, Nursery
through Grade 5, in singing some of their favorite
songs.
Kids Klub Klosing – March 19, 2014
Lois Ann Glessner will bring the morning message.
Lois Ann has been teaching the children of Kids
Klub for many years and we eagerly anticipate her
leadership for the entire congregation on May 4.
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 2
BLESSING OF THE SEED
Now in its 9th year, the 2014 Growing Project kicked off the last Sunday of April in most of the
participating Churches.
“Field of Hope” Growing Project will gather at the farm Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. for a “Blessing of
the Seed” service. All are welcome! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the program
and to celebrate together our ties to the people of the Central African Republic program! The event at
the farm is followed by a strawberry ice cream social at Grossnickle Church of the Brethren’s Parish Hall.
For more information, please contact the church office or anyone on the committee. GCOB
committee members are: Patty Hurwitz, Chair, Tim Ritchey Martin, Elvin Stottlemyer, Paul Bussard,
Suzanne Levitt, Robert Delauter, Jennie Leatherman, and Aubrey & Helen Thomasson.
GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY
Graduation for Middletown High School comes early this year and so Graduation Sunday will be
held on May 25, 2014. The Christian Education Commission would like to have the names of the
students in our church family who will be graduating from high school or college this spring.
Names of high school graduates received so far are Willie Bruchey, Kaitryn Delauter, Megan Harne,
Ashleigh Hessong, Chloe Kehlbeck, Abbey Moser, Annie Noffsinger, Morgan Stottemyer, Cody Westwood,
Rachel Wiles. College graduate names received are Katie Bussard, Kenton Grossnickle, Lexi
Grossnickle, Lindsay Harne, Ryan Harshman, Kate Noffsinger, Chelsea Spade, and Breanne Toms.
If you have not yet contacted us, please call the church office now!
underway to make this a meaningful celebration for our graduates.
Preparations are currently
CELEBRATION CORNER
April brought us a taste of Spring and more. April also brought us Holy Week and Easter.
This month we celebrate a number of events and experiences in our life together. For the first time
the Outreach Commission added a second Food
Drive Sunday. On the first Sunday of April the
communion table was once again surrounded with
generously filled bags of food. We were able to
take another car load of food to Salem United
Methodist for their food pantry. We celebrate the
generosity of our Church family.
Once again a group gathered as stewards of this
part of God’s world to clean up the roadsides
along Harp Hill Road and Meeting House Road.
Ten folks are needed each time we “Adopt-ARoad.”
Food Pantry Drive – March 2014
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 3
Lent and Holy Week is a wonderful celebration of Jesus’ final days on this earth and his being raised
to new life. We rejoice in the good work and dedication of the Lenten Study group members as they
gathered six Thursday evenings to consider the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus. These words of scripture
proved fruitful as we reflected on them in quiet time alone, in small groups, and as a total group,
through music, video clips and concluding worship. “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the
world,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the gate,” “I am the resurrection and the life,” “I am the vine,”
each provided different understanding, a different perspective on Jesus’ life. We came to know and
love him in a different way each week! We
celebrate the commitment to growing in
faith on the part of all who participated.
Easter Egg Hunt – April 19, 2014
And then came Love Feast, Good Friday,
the Easter Egg Hunt, and Resurrection
Day. Our numbers were up this year, and
we were uplifted by time spent together in
worship. Thanks to the Deacons for all
their work preparing for Love Feast, to
Pastor Donna who created a new costume
for Pastor Tim to wear for his monologue
Good Friday, to all who made the Easter
Egg Hunt the wonderful success that it
was, and to all who shared 110 flowers in
memory or in honor of someone else to
create the most fragrant, beautiful
sanctuary on Easter morning. Christ is
risen! Christ is risen indeed!
On Easter we began and ended our day at Garfield
United Methodist Church. We greeted the sunrise with
“Christ is Risen!”
That evening we enjoyed the
Community Cantata directed by Lois Kuhn and ended
the service with the Hallelujah Chorus! Oh that every
day of our lives would be resurrection day, concluding
with such glorious music!
Finally, as this newsletter goes to publication, faithful
folks are making their way to Ephrata, PA to help with
meat canning, yet another effort to help the hungry of
this world. Give thanks today for all who faithfully seek
to be the presence of Christ in the world!!!!!!!
Easter Flowers – April 20, 2014
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
During the months of June, July and August, Children’s Sunday School classes will be combined
for children in Grades 1 – 5. All other grades will meet as usual. “Heartshapers – Shaping Hearts
with God’s Word” by Standard Publishing is the summer curriculum for the Pre-K through Grade 5
classes. Students will enjoy creative stories, make and take projects, Bible skills-building activities
and take-home family resources.
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 4
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2014
“Weird Animals- Where Jesus’ Love Is One-Of-A-Kind”
Vacation Bible School will be held June 23-27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. God filled
the world with a lot of crazy creatures….including people! At Weird
Animals VBS, not only will kids explore the unique animals God made,
they’ll discover that they are special, uncommon, and extraordinary. Each
evening children will learn about a new Bible story that expresses the
never-ending love of Jesus:
Even when you’re left out Jesus loves you: Jesus heals lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
Even though you’re different Jesus loves you: Samaritan woman (John 4:1-30)
Even when you are confused Jesus loves you: Foot washing (John 13:1-17)
Even when you do wrong Jesus loves you: Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 22:47-24:12)
Even when you’re afraid Jesus loves you: Ananias helps Saul (Acts 9:1-19)
All children ages three through Grade 5 are invited to enjoy Bible stories, music, crafts, and fun!
For the closing program on Friday evening, June 27, the children will sing VBS songs they have
learned. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children Friday evening, as classes will be
dismissed from the sanctuary to load onto hay wagons for the traditional closing hayride. Children
must be accompanied by an adult to participate in the hayride. After the hayride, everyone will meet
back at the parish hall to view the wonderful crafts the children have worked on and enjoy an ice
cream social.
You may register your child(ren) in advance by calling the church office at 301-293-9516, or you may
pick up a registration form from the entry table at church, fill it out, and drop in the big envelope that
will be affixed to the VBS bulletin board. Take an extra form and invite a friend!
VBS volunteers are needed to serve as teachers and helpers. A sign-up sheet is posted on the
VBS bulletin board. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the VBS director, Kelly
Rumpf, at 301-432-4723.
APPRECIATION TO KRISTA
The Music and Worship Commission invites the congregation to share in expressions of appreciation
for Krista (Bussard) Peake. Krista has shared her musical gifts with us this winter while her husband
Jon has been deployed with the Air Force in the Middle East. When Jon’s unit is sent back to the
States, Krista will rejoin him in Mountain Home, Idaho, where they will set up housekeeping together
once again.
Cards and small gifts may be placed in a basket in the church
secretary’s office to be presented to Krista on June 1 – or
earlier if necessary!
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 5
“Our People of Grossnickle Church”
Andrew and Mary Kathryn Barnett
Andrew Barnett was born and grew up in New York City. He graduated from Ponoma College,
Claremont, California and it was while he was there he realized city life was not for him. He began
working on farms and realized that was how he wanted to spend
his life. Asked if he learned farming at Ponoma he said, “Oh no,
everything I know about farming I learned by apprenticeship on farms.”
Mary Kathryn Barnett was born in Atlanta, GA, and graduated
from Davidson College in North Carolina where she majored in
English. After graduating from college she became interested in
agriculture and took a job working on a farm in Georgia. It was
there that she and Andrew met. Their love for farming is what
brought them here to run their own business, Open Book Farm,
where they grow and sell vegetables, meat, and eggs.
Andrew and Mary Kathryn enjoy – no surprise here, spending
time with their son, Sylvan, fulltime. They enjoy watching him
grow and doting him with attention. Both Andrew and Mary Kathryn enjoy board games and card
games, cooking, reading, and Frisbee – and spending time with Sylvan!!!
Andrew’s favorite foods are roast chicken and chicken livers. Mary Kathryn loves chocolate and
sweet potatoes.
Andrew’s favorite movie is “Shawshank Redemption.” Mary Kathryn enjoys “Star Wars” – not just
one sequel but the whole series.
Andrew’s favorite memory of church is getting baptized in Middle Creek. Mary Kathryn’s favorite
church memory is Christmas Eve service when she was young – they would always sing the very
best Christmas carols, ending on a joyous high note with Christmas, of course, being the next day.
A person Andrew would really like to meet is Julia Child. (Not sure if he wants to learn from her or
teach her a few things about cooking.) Mary Kathryn would really like to meet Martin Luther King, Jr.
because he was just such an amazing person. She would also like to meet her great grandfather.
Both would like to visit Japan. Mary Kathryn would like to visit the farms and enjoy the food. Andrew
wants to visit for the food!!!
Asked to complete the phrase, I will never forget; both agreed it was the day they got married.
Mary Kathryn became a member of our church family on July 21st by Letter of Transfer. Andrew
became a member of our congregation on August 18 th, the day he was baptized and affirmed his faith
in Jesus Christ. We are honored that both of you are officially part of our church family and we
welcome you with open arms as you continue your Christian walk. We are so happy your faith
journey has brought you to our congregation. Andrew, we look forward to your continued service
and leadership in the life of our church. Mary Kathryn, we look forward to utilizing the talents and
abilities that God has so richly blessed you with as we walk together in His service. Welcome
Andrew and Mary Kathryn!!!
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 6
LET’S CARE FOR OUR WORLD
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DAY – SATURDAY, MAY 17
“The Lord God took the man and put him In the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Gen2:15
All kinds of things get recycled – plastic, paper, cardboard, glassware – but have you thought about
recycling your used electronics? The Outreach Commission will be hosting an Electrics Recycling
Day on Saturday, May 17, 2014 between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Your
used equipment will be delivered to E-End at their new address – 7118 Geoffrey Way, Unit E.,
Frederick, MD. E-End is located off of 85 South going toward Buckeystown. You can also go to their
website: http://www.e-endusa.com/ecycling.php, at NO COST to you or the church. Below are
examples of items that may be recycled. The only items not accept are televisions, CRT monitors or
very large items. If you’re not sure, call Brenda Thomasson, 301-293-2647.
Come on May 17th to drop off your e-recycling! If there is a hard drive, I will receive a group certificate
from E-End stating the hard drive(s) has been destroyed. An ID number will be marked on your
electronic device.
The Outreach Commission thanks you for recycling! If you need additional information, speak with
Brenda or any member of the Outreach Commission.
COMPUTERS
CPUs, Towers
Laptops
Keyboards/Mice
Hard Drives
Monitors– CRT & LCD
Mainframe Computers
Uninterruptible Power
Supplies (UPS)
Power Supplies
Cables
Circuit Boards
Computer Components
Modems
Peripherals
Printed Circuit Boards
Printers
Prototype Equipment
Routers
Servers
Thumb Drives
COMMUNICATIONS
Answering Machines
Cell Tower Bases
Cellular Phones &
Accessories
KSUs
LNAs, LNBs
Microwave Waveguides
Pagers
PDAs
RF Equipment
Telephones
Transmitters/Receivers
Two-way Radios
Wires and Cables
OFFICE
Calculators
Copy Machines
Electric Typewriters
Fax Machines
Overhead Projectors
Printers
Scanners
Transparency Makers
Word Processors
PERSONAL
Camcorders
Compact Disc
Players
DVD Players
Electronic Games
Other Consumer
Electronics
Radios
Remote Controls
Stereo Systems
Tape Players
VCRs
And, while you are recycling, please remember . . .
Our Growing Project needs your aluminum cans!
Please place your clean, empty aluminum cans in the recycle bin behind the
Parish Hall. Proceeds from the cans will be used to help support our 2014
Growing Project for the Central African Republic Gamboula Program.
Musicians Needed
The Music & Worship Committee is looking for musicians to provide special music for our church
services throughout the year.
If you are interested or know someone who would like to share their musical talents with our church
family, please contact Diane Moser, 240-397-1652, or the church office, 301-293-9516.
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 7
“BATTIN’ FOR BRENT” COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER
On Saturday, June 14, at 6:00 p.m. the Frederick Keys will play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Harry
Grove Stadium. We are selling tickets for $10 each with all proceeds going to “Battin’ for Brent.”
Our church currently has 25 tickets available for sale, but it would be nice to sell all those and even
more for Brent. This would be a nice outing for our church and at the same time support the
Blickenstaffs! Tickets are only good for one regular admission into the ballpark and for the date listed
(June 14). Contact the church office, 301-293-9516, for tickets.
34th Annual Mid-Atlantic Disaster Response Auction
Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster, MD
Last year’s auction raised $66,000. Of that, $57,000 was given to the Emergency Disaster Fund of
the Church of the Brethren to help victims recover from many disasters around the world.
Come out and support this worthy cause and take a chance on the quilts crafted by quilters of
Grossnickle Church of the Brethren!
From Our Parish Nurse . . .
April Showers Bring May Flowers,
Organ Donors Bring New Life!
3rd Annual Dentistry from the Heart
Free Dental Care
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Become an organ donor today.
Sign up at organdonor.gov and give the gift of life.
Organ donor pins available.
Reminder: Blood pressure checks will be available
Sunday, May 4 after worship.
- Pattie Hughes, Parish Nurse, 301-371-7359
Coming in June 2014
07 Adopt-a-Road
09 Shepherd’s Spring Golf Tournament
23 – 27 Vacation Bible School
Please submit news items for the June 2014
issue of The Dunker no later than Monday,
May 19, 2014. Thank you!
Hosted by Hagerstown Smiles Dental Care
Dr. Bruce Burley & Dr. Brandon Burley
ARRIVE EARLY – Registration 7:30 am to 11:30 am
Event Hours: 8:00 am until 5:00 pm
1115 Mount Aetna Road, Hagerstown, MD
For more information:
301-739-7003 or www.hagerstownsmiles.com
Those who bought the New
Inglenook Cookbook last year
will want to check the website
(www.inglenookcookbook.org)
for a few corrections.
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 8
Our Congratulations to . . .
Our Christian sympathy to . . .
Tazmine and Chris Barthlow
upon the birth of
Emersyn Grace Barthlow
March 28, 2014
8 pounds, 9.2 ounces, 20 inches
Great-grandmother, June Barthlow.
Merhle Wiles, Sr.
upon the death of his brother
Katie and Sam Rudman
Robert George Oliver Wiles
upon the birth of
April 11, 2014
Colton Thomas Rudman
March 30, 2014
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
7 pounds, 11 ounces, 20 ½ inches
Maternal grandparents,
Sharon and Nelson Hipkins
Paternal grandparents,
Wanda and Fred Rudman
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
My heartfelt gratitude for the loving thoughts, earnest prayers, acts of kindness, wealth of cards,
and visits rendered to me during my recent illness and surgery. I’m very grateful to my church
family (brothers and sisters in Christ), my immediate family (Mom, Dad, children, the Delauter
family), Pastors Tim and Donna, and community friends for their compassion and care during this time.
In my daily reading of a book entitled “Grace for the Moment,” Volume II by Max Lucado, is a
quote I want to share which describes my thoughts on the joy all have given me. The title is
“God’s Family of Friends” starting from Ephesians 1:5 NLT. “His unchanging plan has always
been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” He goes on
to say, “God heals his family through his family. In church we use our gifts to love each other,
honor one another, keep an eye on each other, and carry each other’s burdens.”
Thank you for loving me, honoring me (by helping me walk by extending an arm or hand to get
across the road into or out of church), a hug or two, and helping me carry my burdens. I wanted to
stand up in front of you and express this message face-to-face since I’ve been back in church, but
I couldn’t get past the overwhelming joy without the tears.
God Bless and May the Love of God Shine on Us Today and Every Day,
Sheila Delauter
THANK YOU for your help this year with the chicken canning project. In the two days we were
there we canned 12,000 cans of chicken. Volunteers on Tuesday were Gene Delauter, David
Doyle, Glenn Lantz and Marion Leatherman. Wednesday volunteers were Brenda Thomasson,
Betty Hofmann, Kathie Tucker, and Marion Leatherman. Thank you very much!
- Marion Leatherman, Meat Canning Coordinator
The Dunker, May 2014
Thank You
Page 9
Thank You
The family of Stanley Kline would like to thank everyone for
their love and support during the last few months. All of
your prayers, visits, cards, and phone calls meant so much
to my Dad and to the family. Tim and Donna - a very
special "thank you" to both of you for being there with us every step of the journey. It was deeply appreciated. A
thank you to all who helped and provided the delicious food
for the funeral meal. Words cannot describe how grateful
we are to our church family for being there for us during this
difficult time.
God's blessings to all,
Debbie Bussard and Family
Thank You
Dear Grossnickle Church friends,
On behalf of the Music and Worship
Commission, a very sincere "thank you"
to everyone who placed a flower "In
memory" and/or "In honor" of a loved one
in church for Easter morning. Our church
was filled with the beauty and fragrance
of lovely white lilies and colorful tulips,
hyacinths and mums. Truly, it was a
glorious display of God's beautiful flowers
to grace our church on Easter Sunday.
- Myralee Wiles
Sometimes we don’t always show our appreciation so we
want thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers.
- Mr. and Mrs. Gale Reeder and Family
THANK YOU . . . I want to thank the members of the church
for remembering me in their prayers. Your true Christian
thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and warm my
heart. Praying for those in need, even though not a
member of the church group shows God’s love knows no
bounds.
Love and thanks,
Joyce Quinn
A special thanks to the Cemetery Members for their great
evening of team work and fellowship to detail our cemetery
and restore it. The following members provided their
expertise: Marion Leatherman, Kevin Leatherman, Robert
Lee Grossnickle, Sam Rudman, and Jon Martin. All worked
hard to beautify GCB cemetery by removing trash, leveling
headstones, and re-cementing where needed.
We are asking that our members who place flowers on
family grave sites for Easter or any special holiday in honor
and memory of their loved ones; to remove them in a
reasonable time. This will facilitate mowing the cemetery.
A special thank you to Gene Gaver and Jon Martin, for
keeping our cemetery looking great during the mowing
season. You fellows do an exceptional job and please know
it is very much appreciated.
God Bless,
Dale Delauter, Chairman Cemetery Board
THANK YOU to Glenn Lantz for the
beautiful literature rack mounted below
the office bulletin board. Thanks Glenn
for a great job! Check out the literature
while you admire the rack!
THANK YOU for the birthday cards you
sent for my 90th birthday. I really appreciate
your kind thoughts.
- Ruth Moser
Dear Grossnickle Church of the Brethren
Congregation,
We want to THANK YOU for the recent
collection of food for our Food Pantry.
We appreciate all the help we can get to
serve those in need. Thank you for
helping us to be the hands and feet of
Christ in our community!
Yours in servicing Christ,
Dawn Nelson, Food Pantry Coordinator
Salem United Methodist Church
THANK YOU for all the beautiful birthday
cards sent my way in March for my
birthday. And thank you for the ‘Meals on
Wheels’. They are very much appreciated.
- Letha Delauter
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 10
~ May 2014 ~
◄ Mar 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
May 2014 ►
Thu
1
Fri
2
Sundays . . .
9:30am – Sunday School
10:30am – Worship
4
CHILDREN’S
SUNDAY
5
7p Outreach
Sat
3
9a Mid-Atlantic
Disaster Response
Auction, Ag Cntr,
Westminster, MD
6
7
7p Adult Choir
8
9
10
7a-1p Meals-onWheels
13
14
7p Adult Choir
15
16
17
8a Electronics
Recycle Day
20
21
22
8a-4p Parish
Hall & Kitchen
reserved
23
8a-4p Parish
Hall & Kitchen
reserved
24
8a-4p Parish Hall
& Kitchen
reserved
My Two-Cents
Offering
Blood Pressure
Checks (after
worship)
11 Mother’s Day 12
BLANKET
SUNDAY
18
19
MEMORIAL
SUNDAY
2p Blessing of the
Seed (11720
Wolfsville Rd,
Myersville, MD)
25
GRADUATE
SUNDAY
Church reserved
all day
26
27
28
29
30
31
Grossnickle Church of the Brethren
P.O. Box 575, 11301 Meeting House Road, Myersville, MD 21773
The Dunker, May 2014
Page 11
May 2014 Worship
Tim and Donna Ritchey Martin, Pastors
SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL – 9:30 am
FAMILY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:30 am
PASTOR’S OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday 8:00 to 11:30 am
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
M W Th – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Phone – 301-293-9516
Church Secretary – Kathie Tucker
Website – www.gcob.org
E Mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Worship
Date
04
11
18
25
Helpers for May 2014 . . .
Acolyte
Carson Levitt
Ethan Grossnickle
Luke Grossnickle
Hanna Westwood
Sermon/Scripture
Message by
04
CHILDREN’S DAY
Lois Ann
Glessner
11
“Our Shepherd”
John 10:1-18
Grossnickle Church of the Brethren
P. O. Box 575
Myersville, MD. 21773-0575
Pastor Tim
MEMORIAL SUNDAY
18
“Welcome Home”
Pastor Donna
John 14:1-14
GRADUATION SUNDAY
25
“Peace to You”
Pastor Donna
John 14:25-30
Deacons of the Month: Patty and Jeff Hurwitz
Greeters
Cathie and Robert Clemson
Kevin and Jennie Leatherman
Mindie and Dave Conway
Andrew, Mary Kathryn & Sylvan Barnett
THE DUNKER
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Date
Worship Leader
Donna Ritchey Martin
Jes Taylor
Andy Williamson
Graduates
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ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID AT
HAGERSTOWN
MD
PERMIT # 190